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Teresa D. James
TERESA D. JAMES, born January
24, 1917 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She
attended Pitt University, Buffalo Aeronautical and Roosevelt School of Aviation. First licensed Woman Flight Instructor in 1939.
Taught Flight and Ground Instruction at
Tumak Aviation Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
until she received a telegram from General
"Hap" Arnold September 1942 requesting
her to report to 2nd Ferrying Division,
Wilmington, Delaware for a flight check.
Teresa was one of the "elite corps" of
Twenty-five women pilots selected for experimentation to fly all types of Army Aircraft. Known as W.A.F.S. (Womens Auxiliary Ferrying Sqd.) they were forerunners of
W.A.S.P. (Womens Air Force Service
Pilots). The WAFS proven ability was basis
for women trainees in flight school in Texas,
which would provide pilots for ferrying,
tow-target training and administrative missions.
For twenty-seven months Teresa flew the
air force inventory - one day a PT-19, next
trip a twin or pursuit aircraft. In early days
there were no piggy-back seat for instructors
in P-5l's or P-47's. Teresa checked herself
out.
Upon deactivation of Wasp December
1944 she returned to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to manage her parents two flower shops.
1945 she attended Benz School of floral
design in Houston, Texas followed by
advanced school of design in Cleveland,
Ohio. She is well known for creative artistry.
1950 was directly commissioned Major in
Air Force Reserve. Served as Special Services
Officer to 375th Troop Carrier Wing at
Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania until 1960. 1961 to 1965
assigned to 5040th Air Base Group, Alaskan
Air Command Anchorage, Alaska. Received
two commendations for casualty assistance
while serving in Family Services. She did a lot
of brisk flying in Super Cub throughout
Alaska. 1966 to 1976 attached to 9536th
AFRES Squadron Greater Pittsburgh Air.
port, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
August 1942 Teresa married her apt. student, George L. Martin. He enlisted as an
Aviation Cadet, became a B-17 Instructor at
Ardmore, Oklahoma 1st Lt. George Martin
volunteered for overseas duty. He was shot
down over France June 22,1944 and presumed missing. He never returned.
Teresa who has over 6,000 hours is still
flying, chasing the birds around the traffic
patterns. She is retired, living in Lake Worth,
Florida.
She belongs to the Ninety-Nine Women
Pilots Association, 0 X 5 Club of America,
Silver Wings, Order of Fifinellas, Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association, Alaskan Airmen Association, and P.47 Thunderbolt
Pilots Association.
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Pilot Name
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Biography Summary
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John Abbotts
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P-47 transition followed at Pocatello, Idaho and Greenville, Texas after which he was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group in England. When the news of his arrival reached Berlin, Hitler retired to his bunker with his cyanide capsule and revolver. Eva found the news equally depressing.
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Asa A. Adair
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He returned to the States in August of 1944 after participating in the invasion "D" Day. He flew P-63's, P-51's, F-80's, T-33's, F-84's, T-38's, P-47's in numerous assignments during the following twenty years in in, Japan, U.S.A. and Europe before retiring after twenty-six years of Active Duty.
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Edward B. Addison
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The 507th Fighter Group, equipped with P-47N's, won the Presidential Unit Citation for destroying 32 Japanese aircraft in the air on one mission to Seoul, Korea. The average flying time for raids to Korea and Japan would be 7 to 9 hours flying time. In a total of 31 months, the 507th not only provided top cover for B-29's, but also
dive-bombed, napalm-bombed and flew low-level on strafing missions.
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Levon B. Agha-Zarian
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It is rumored that he, took his primary training on a flying rug. He flew Spits, briefly, in England, but as the, war moved to the East, he was sent to India as a Sgt. Pilot and first saw action from Ceylon, flying the Curtiss P.36, the Brewster Buffalo, and the Hurricane. At this point he might have opted for the rug! This was at the time of the fall of Singapore and the sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse.
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George N. Ahles
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Posted to A-20 light bomber squadron Barksdale Field, Louisiana. . Group moved to Hunter Air Base Savannah, Georgia. Qualified for Pilot training November 1940. Entered Aviation Cadets January 1942. Presented wings November 1942 class of 42-J. Married Mary Louise while in Advanced Pilot Training at Craig AFB, Selma, Alabama, September 1942.
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Roy J. Aldritt
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Shortly after the group moved to France he ran into some unseen flak and was forced to make a nylon descent behind the lines; some evasion and a lot of luck had him back with his unit
in 24 hours.
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Eugene J. Amaral
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After graduation from Stonington High School he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in December 1942 and was called to active duty in March, 1943. He received his wings and commission at Spence Field, Georgia as a member of the Class of 43-C.
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Talmadge L. Ambrose
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Flew 84 missions thru VE Day, was downed by 22mm ground fire over Siefried Line. He destroyed 11 enemy aircraft, 9 known confirmed in air and on
ground, including 4 FW 190-D's in one afternoon over Hanover, Germany, April 8, 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross,
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, 17 man, Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Pacific Theatre and European Theatre Meda1s with 5 Battle
Stars and Unit Citation Medal.
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John C. Anderson
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After P-47 transition he was assigned to the 406th Fighter Group, 512th Fighter Squadron. (E.T
.0.) He flew 56 missions through January, 1945 destroying supply routes, bridges, and railroads; he also flew close support missions with the ground forces, with attacks on tanks, artillery and enemy positions.
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William Anderson
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It was not always flak,two ME-109's beat the hell out of me one day. The central controller called me and said "Basher-Red Leader do you have contact Bandits," I replied, "I sure do, I'll bring them over the field in 3 minutes, they're chasing me home." Got all the usual medals including two Belgium and two French but one I'm most proud of is the Silver Star -it is the greatest.
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